If you’ve lived in the Driftless Area for more than a week, you know the Drill. One minute you're looking at a light dusting of snow on the bluffs, and the next, the wind is whipping off the Mississippi like it's got a personal grudge against your face. Honestly, trying to pin down a Dubuque 10 day forecast in the middle of January is a bit like trying to catch a greased pig at the Dubuque County Fair—slippery, messy, and you're probably going to end up cold.
Right now, we are sitting in a classic "January Thaw" that isn't really much of a thaw. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 17°F. That sounds almost tropical compared to what’s coming, doesn't it? But don't let that number fool you. With the wind coming out of the west at 13 mph, it’s not exactly picnic weather. We've got a 25% chance of snow showers today, which basically means you’ll be running your wipers on intermittent while you head over to the Five Flags Arena.
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The Breakdown: What’s Actually Happening?
Tomorrow is where things start to get a little dicey. Sunday, Jan 18, brings a high of 19°F, but the real story is the 70% chance of snow. Most people see "snow" and think "snow day," but in Dubuque, that usually just means a messy commute on Highway 20. If you’re planning on hitting the Icestravaganza downtown, you might want to pack the heavy-duty boots.
By Monday, the bottom drops out. We’re talking a high of only 4°F. Four degrees! That is "don't leave the house if you don't have to" cold. The low is expected to hit 2°F, which is a bit of a weird spread, but it points to a massive cold front settling in over the Tri-States.
Here is the thing about these forecasts that people miss: the humidity. In the summer, Dubuque humidity makes you feel like you’re breathing through a wet towel. In January? It sits around 75% to 80%, which makes that 13°F current temperature feel like -0°F. It’s a "wet cold" that gets into your bones and stays there.
Is the Dubuque 10 Day Forecast Pointing to a Polar Vortex?
Honestly, "Polar Vortex" is a term that gets thrown around too much these days. Meteorologists like the folks at the National Weather Service in La Crosse (who cover our area) are watching a La Niña pattern this year. This usually means our winters are a bit more "wild" than usual. We’ve seen this before—since 1991, about 38% of La Niña winters have been wetter than normal.
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Looking at the stretch from Jan 20 to Jan 26, the pattern is basically "Cold, Colder, and Snow."
- Tuesday (Jan 20): 20°F and partly sunny. This is your chance to run errands.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): 25°F. This is actually the warmest day in the back half of the forecast.
- Thursday & Friday (Jan 22-23): Back down to 20°F. More clouds.
- Next Weekend (Jan 24-25): We hit the single digits again. Saturday will top out at 9°F, and Sunday is looking like a high of 4°F with another 30% chance of snow.
If you’re planning to attend the Ice Fest at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium on the 24th or 25th, you’re going to be living that authentic "Ice Fest" experience. We’re talking "bundle the kids in three layers" weather.
Why the Bluffs Change Everything
Dubuque isn't flat like Des Moines. Our local topography creates micro-climates. You might have noticed that it can be snowing at Eagle Point Park while it’s just cloudy at the Port of Dubuque. That 10-day forecast you see on your phone is a general estimate for the Dubuque Regional Airport, but the airport is up on a plateau. Down in the valley, the hills can trap cold air, making it feel several degrees colder than the "official" reading.
Also, let’s talk about the wind. The current northwest wind at 11 mph might seem light, but when it channels through the downtown streets, it creates a wind tunnel effect.
Practical Advice for the Next 10 Days
Stop trusting the "High" temperature as your guide for what to wear. In this Dubuque 10 day forecast, the "Feels Like" or wind chill is the only number that matters. If the high is 4°F on Monday, the wind chill is likely going to be -15°F or lower.
- Check your tires now. We have a 70% chance of snow on Sunday. Dubuque hills + slick roads = a very bad time on Julian Dubuque Bridge.
- Humidity matters. With humidity staying near 77%, keep your skin moisturized. That "wet cold" air will sap the moisture out of your face faster than you can say "Go Spartans."
- Plan for the 19th and 25th. These are the deep-freeze days. If you have elderly neighbors or outdoor pets, those are the nights to double-check on them.
The 10-day trend shows we are firmly in the "Classic Iowa Winter" phase. We’re seeing a shift from the relatively mild start of the month into a more "chill, snow, repeat" cycle that the Farmers' Almanac predicted back in August. It’s not a record-breaking blizzard yet, but it’s definitely a test of our Midwestern grit.
Your Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the Sunday snow accumulation totals as they will likely be updated tonight. If we get more than 2 inches, Monday morning's commute will be a nightmare. Make sure your car's emergency kit has a real blanket and a shovel—you don't want to be the person stuck on a side street in 4-degree weather.